Wireless radio device alignment tools and methods

ABSTRACT

Wireless radio device alignment tools and methods. Described herein are methods for point-to-point alignment of wireless radio devices and alignment tools to assist in aligning wireless radio devices. These alignment tools may automatically or manually receive location information and may use a local compass function to determine a rough or initial alignment and additional tools to provide further (fine) alignment based on calculated and actual signal strength between the two devices being aligned.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/927,811 filed Jul. 13, 2020, titled “WIRELESS RADIO DEVICE ALIGNMENTTOOLS AND METHODS,” now U.S. Pat. No. 11,296,805, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/425,834, filed May29, 2019, titled “WIRELESS RADIO DEVICE ALIGNMENT TOOLS AND METHODS,”now U.S. Pat. No. 10,812,204, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/112,000, filed Aug. 24, 2018, titled “WIRELESSRADIO DEVICE ALIGNMENT TOOLS AND METHODS,” now U.S. Pat. No. 10,367,592,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/754,084,filed Jun. 29, 2015, titled “WIRELESS RADIO DEVICE ALIGNMENT TOOLS ANDMETHODS,” now U.S. Pat. No. 10,069,580, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/019,329, filed on Jun. 30, 2014,titled “WIRELESS RADIO DEVICE ALIGNMENT TOOLS AND METHODS,” each ofwhich is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specificationare herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the sameextent as if each individual publication or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

FIELD

Described herein are wireless communications systems and methods,including broadband wireless radios such as IEEE 802.11 radios andmethods and tools for aligning them.

BACKGROUND

Wireless communication devices and wireless networks have proliferatedin recent years. This has resulted in region having differentelectromagnetic spectrum profiles. For example, in some regionsgeographic as well as population conditions have resulted in relativelycrowded local frequency spectra. Although both regulatory agencies (suchas the FCC in the United States) and manufacturers have attempted toregulate and minimize such crowding, it has proven difficult to optimizeand prevent interference across commercially relevant portions of theelectromagnetic spectrum. In particular, electromagnetic interference,from both natural and man-made sources, is difficult to predict and toavoid. Unfortunately, electromagnetic interference causes significantproblems for wireless devices and networks. Electromagnetic interferencecan arise from other communication devices even if those other devicesuse a different carrier frequency. For example, a cordless telephoneusing a first carrier frequency could generate electromagneticinterference that makes it difficult for a communication device using asecond carrier frequency to maintain connection to a local area network(LAN). Electromagnetic interference might also arise from electronicdevices other than communication devices (e.g., microwave ovens, etc.).

Determining the source of interference and/or preventing or avoiding ithas proven difficult. Since electromagnetic interference can be highlylocal, and interference in the electromagnetic spectrum seen by somedevices may not be seen by other devices even in the same network, itwould be helpful to be able to monitor local interference at a wirelessradio device, including at both ends of link in a network, such as at anaccess point (AP) and at an end device (e.g. a customer providedequipment, or CPE). In addition, since electromagnetic “traffic” andinterference may vary greatly over time, it would be helpful to monitorcontinuously.

Further, the alignment of wireless radio devices, and particularlydevices that are configured for directed (e.g., point-to-point)transmission may be of particular importance in enhancing the operationof these devices and of networks including them. Traditional alignmentof a local wireless radio device (e.g., antenna) with another wirelessradio device is a slow, and iterative process that is particular laborintensive when the two devices are separated by a substantial distance.Thus, it would be beneficial to provide devices and method (includingalignment tools) for aligning such wireless radio devices.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Described herein are wireless radio apparatuses (devices and systems),and method and apparatus (including tools) for aligning them. Inparticular, described herein are methods and apparatuses (e.g., tools)for point-to-point alignment of wireless radio devices.

Any of the wireless radio devices described herein may be wirelessdevices that include integrated spectrum analyzers. For example,described herein are devices and systems that include a first wirelessradio receiver and transmitter (or transceiver) that operates inparallel with a second receiver; the second receiver may be configuredas a spectrum analyzer, and continuously scans the operating band. Thus,in any of the devices described herein, the spectrum analyzer portionand the first receiver may be operated concurrently and independently ofeach other. Information on the spectrum that comes from monitoring theoperating band may be stored, analyzed and/or transmitted by a processorthat is associated with the spectrum analyzer, referred to herein as aspectrum processor. The spectrum information may be encrypted and may betransmitted to one or more remote processors (including servers) usingthe transmitter (Tx) that is used for normal operation of the wirelessradio, or the spectrum analyzer may include a dedicated transmitter (ortransceiver).

For example, described herein are wireless radio devices that areconfigured to wirelessly receive and transmit radio frequency signals inan operating band and have an integrated spectrum analyzer. The spectrumanalyzer may be configured to operate continuously or continuously orconstantly. For example, the spectrum analyzer may be adapted toconstantly scan an operating band, and after one or more (predetermined)scan, may pause before starting the next scan or sets of scans. Forexample, a wireless radio device configured to wirelessly receive andtransmit radio frequency signals in an operating band having anintegrated spectrum analyzer may include: an antenna (e.g., a receiveantenna); a first receiver coupled to the antenna by a first receivingpath for receiving a radio frequency signal within the operating bandfrom the antenna; a spectrum analyzer operating in parallel with thefirst receiving path, wherein the spectrum analyzer is configured tocontinuously scan through the operating band and collect spectruminformation on the operating band concurrent with the first receiverreceiving the radio frequency signal; and a spectrum processor coupledto the spectrum analyzer and configured to wirelessly transmit thespectrum information to a remote spectrum analysis unit.

The antenna may be for both receiving and transmission, or it may be adedicated receive antenna. Although the primary receiver (ortransceiver) may operate with the same antenna (and in parallel) as thereceiver adapted to operate as the spectrum analyzers, the spectrumanalyzer may use a separate (e.g., dedicated) antenna.

The general-purpose receiver of the device or system typically receivesradio frequency signals within an operating band, as described ingreater detail below, may operate in one or more channels and may beswitches between channels within the operating band. The spectrumanalyzer typically scans through all of the channels of the operatingband. In some variations, the spectrum analyzer may scan though a bandthat is larger than the operating band, for example, bracketing theoperating band on one or both sides of the spectrum.

A wireless radio device configured to wirelessly receive and transmitradio frequency signals in an operating band may include: an antenna; afirst receiver coupled to the antenna by a first receiving path forreceiving a radio frequency signal from the antenna; a second receivingpath in parallel with the first receiving path, the second receivingpath coupled to the antenna and connected to a spectrum analyzer,wherein the spectrum analyzer is configured to continuously scan theoperating band while the first receiver receives the radio frequencysignal and to record spectrum information on the operating band; and aspectrum processor coupled to the spectrum analyzer and configured toencode the spectrum information for transmission to a remote spectrumanalysis unit.

Described herein are method and tools (devices and systems) for aligningwireless radio devices. For example, described herein are methods forpoint-to-point alignment of wireless radio devices. Any of these methodsmay use an alignment tool, and in particular, and alignment tool havinga compass which may be one or more sensors that can be operated as acompass (e.g. providing direction relative to north, south, etc.). Forexample, a method may comprise: determining a location of a firstwireless radio device that is remotely located relative to the alignmenttool; determining a location of a second wireless radio device that islocal to the alignment tool; using the compass of the alignment tool andthe locations of the first and second wireless radio devices todetermine a direction to point the second wireless radio device; anddisplaying, with the alignment tool, an indicator of the direction.

For example, a method for point-to-point alignment of wireless radiodevices using an alignment tool having a compass may include: enteringan identity of a first wireless radio device into the alignment tool,wherein the first wireless radio device is remotely located relative tothe alignment tool; determining a location of the first wireless radiodevice; determining a location of a second wireless radio device that islocal to the alignment tool; calculating a direction of the firstwireless radio device relative to the second wireless radio device;using the compass of the alignment tool to determine a direction topoint the second wireless radio device so that the second wirelessdevice is oriented towards the first wireless radio device; anddisplaying, with the alignment tool, an indicator of the direction topoint the second wireless radio device.

The step of determining the location of the first wireless radio devicemay include entering the identity of the first wireless radio deviceinto the alignment tool. Determining the location of the first wirelessradio device may comprises entering the identity of the first wirelessradio device into the alignment tool and receiving GPS informationindicating the location of the first wireless radio device.

In general, calculating the direction of the first wireless radio devicerelative to the second wireless radio device may comprise calculatingthe direction of the first wireless radio device relative to the secondwireless radio device in the alignment tool. This calculation may beperformed using the GPS information, as mentioned. Calculating thedirection of the first wireless radio device relative to the secondwireless radio device may comprise calculating the direction of thefirst wireless radio device relative to the second wireless radio devicein a remote processor and transmitting the direction to the alignmenttool.

Determining the location of the first wireless radio device may comprisewirelessly receiving, in the alignment tool, a GPS indication of thelocation of the first wireless radio device, either automatically ormanually. Determining the location of the second wireless radio devicemay comprise determining the location of the alignment tool. Determiningthe location of the second wireless radio device may comprise receivinga GPS indication of the location of the second wireless radio device,either manually or automatically.

The method may also include finely tuning the direction of the secondradio device. For example, the method may include displaying with thealignment tool, an indicator of the measured signal strength between thefirst and second radio devices. In addition, the method may includecalculating an estimate of optimal signal strength between the first andsecond wireless radio devices and displaying on the alignment tool anindicator of the optimal signal strength between the first and secondwireless radio devices. The actual and calculated signal strengths(ideal signal strength) may be used as a guide to drive fine tuning ofthe alignment. This fine tuning may be performed manually orautomatically. For example, the method may include calculating anestimate of optimal signal strength between the first and secondwireless radio devices and displaying on the alignment tool an indicatorof how optimal the signal strength between the first and second wirelessradio devices is.

The method may also include activating the alignment tool, wherein thealignment tool comprises a smartphone executing application software, asdescribed herein. Alternatively or additionally, the alignment tool maybe a module attached to the second wireless radio device. For examplethe alignment tool may be built into a wireless radio device foraligning it, or it may be adapted to dock onto/couple with the wirelessradio device.

Also described herein are alignment tools. For example, an alignmenttool to assist in aligning a first wireless radio device and a secondwireless radio device may be configured as a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing a set of instructions capableof being executed by a processor, wherein the set of instructions, whenexecuted by the processor, causes the processor to: determine a locationof the first wireless radio device; determine a location of the secondwireless radio device; calculate a direction of the first wireless radiodevice relative to the second wireless radio device; use a compass todetermine a direction to point the second wireless radio device so thatthe second wireless device is oriented towards the first wireless radiodevice; and cause an indicator of the direction to point the secondwireless radio device to be displayed.

For example, an alignment tool to assist in aligning a first wirelessradio device and a second wireless radio device, may comprise anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a set ofinstructions capable of being executed by a processor, wherein the setof instructions, when executed by the processor, causes the processorto: determine a location of the first wireless radio device; determine alocation of the second wireless radio device; calculate a direction ofthe first wireless radio device relative to the second wireless radiodevice; use a compass to determine a direction to point the secondwireless radio device so that the second wireless device is orientedtowards the first wireless radio device; cause an indicator of thedirection to point the second wireless radio device to be displayed; andcause an indicator of the signal strength between the first and secondwireless radio devices to be displayed.

The set of instructions, when executed by the processor, may furthercause the processor to: calculate an estimate of optimal signal strengthbetween the first and second wireless radio devices; and cause anindicator of the optimal signal strength between the first and secondwireless radio devices to be displayed. In some variations, the set ofinstructions, when executed by the processor, further causes theprocessor to: calculate an estimate of optimal signal strength betweenthe first and second wireless radio devices; and cause an indicator ofhow optimal the signal strength between the first and second wirelessradio devices is to be displayed.

In some examples the alignment tool is an app that runs on a handhelddevice (e.g. table, smartphone, laptop, etc.) which may include adisplay screen and one or more sensors that can provide directionalinformation (e.g., compass, etc.). Thus, the processor may comprise aprocessor of a smartphone.

The alignment tool may determine the location of the local and remotewireless devices either manually (by having a user input or select froma menu of local/remote devices and/or their locations and/or theiroperating characteristics, make/model, etc.) or automatically, orsemi-automatically (e.g., requiring confirmation by the user ofautomatically detected information).

For example, the set of instructions, when executed by the processor,may further cause the processor to: receive the identity of the firstwireless radio device into the alignment tool. The set of instructions,when executed by the processor, may further cause the processor to:receive the identity of the second wireless radio device into thealignment tool.

In some variations, the set of instructions, when executed by theprocessor, further causes the processor to: receive GPS informationindicating the location of the first wireless radio device. The set ofinstructions, when executed by the processor, may further cause theprocessor to: receive GPS information indicating the location of thesecond wireless radio device.

The set of instructions, when executed by the processor, may furthercause the processor to: determine the location of the second wirelessradio device from the location of the alignment tool. The set ofinstructions, when executed by the processor, may further cause theprocessor to: cause an indicator of the measured signal strength betweenthe first and second radio devices to be displayed by the alignmenttool.

Although the examples of alignment tools described above are configuredas applications (e.g. software) that can be run on a general-purposeprocessor, dedicated alignment tools may also be used, and mayincorporate any of the elements described herein for the alignmenttools, including a directional sensor (e.g., compass) and processor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A schematically illustrates one example of a device having anintegrated spectrum analyzer for independently and continuouslymonitoring the operating band.

FIG. 1B schematically illustrates another example of a device having anintegrated spectrum analyzer for independently and continuouslymonitoring the operating band.

FIG. 1C is a schematic illustration of a wireless radio device includinga persistent spectrum analyzer operating in parallel with ahigh-selectivity receiver.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an alignment tool forpoint-to-point alignment.

FIG. 3 is an example of generic point-to-point alignment that may beperformed or assisted with an alignment tool.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alignment tool configured as an app running on asmartphone that providing an initial (rough) alignment guide.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an alignment tool causing the display ofinformation for fine alignment of a local wireless radio device. InFIGS. 5A and 5B the alignment tool causes the display (e.g., display ofa smartphone) to show a direction indicator for alignment (arrow), atarget signal level between the local and remote devices and the current(actual) signal level(s) between the local and remote devices.

FIGS. 6A-6F illustrate one method of operating an alignment tool forpoint-to-point alignment of a local and remote device.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate alignment of a pair of devices usingvariations of the alignment devices described herein.

FIG. 8 shows another variation of an alignment device, using an opticalalignment aid (e.g., laser).

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a back portion of an antenna includinga fixed-orientation coupling region for an alignment tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, described herein are alignment tools for aligning a firstwireless radio device and a second wireless radio device. The alignmenttool may include a handheld device that may be held or attached to anantenna (including attached in a defined orientation relative to theantenna to which it is attached). The alignment tool may be a dedicatedtool (e.g., having a housing, internal circuitry (e.g., processor,memory, GPS, WiFi and/or other radio circuitry), a display, etc., or itmay be control logic operating on a portable computing device, such as asmartphone, or wearable computing device. Alternatively or additionally,the alignment tool may be integrated into the antenna.

For example, and alignment tool may include alignment logic, such as anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a set ofinstructions capable of being executed by a processor, wherein the setof instructions, when executed by the processor, causes the processorto: determine a location of the first wireless radio device; determine alocation of the second wireless radio device; calculate a direction ofthe first wireless radio device relative to the second wireless radiodevice; use a compass to determine a direction to point the secondwireless radio device so that the second wireless device is orientedtowards the first wireless radio device; and cause an indicator of thedirection to point the second wireless radio device to be displayed.

These alignment tools may be used with any appropriate radio frequency(RF) antenna apparatus, including but not limited to those specificallyand generically described herein. For example, a wireless radioapparatuses may include a first (primary) receiver and a second(secondary) receiver that are connected in parallel, for example, to thesame receiving antenna. The primary receiver may be a high-selectivityreceiver, and may be configured to receiver radio-frequency signalswithin an operating frequency band. The second receiver may beconfigured as a spectrum analyzer, that analyzes all or a portion (e.g.,at predetermined frequency locations) of the operating band. Thesecondary receiver typically operates simultaneously with the firstreceiver, and may operate continuously or periodically (e.g., at regularintervals) to scan the operating band or predetermined portions of theoperating band. The second receiver may be controlled by a secondaryprocessor, which may be configured as a spectrum processor forcontrolling operation of the secondary receiver as a spectrum analyzer.

For example, FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically illustrate two genericvariations of RF antenna devices that include a primary receiver (or areceiver portion of a transmitter) that is used to receive wireless dataand operates at one or more frequency channels within an operating band;these devices also include a secondary receiver that, in conjunctionwith a secondary processor, simultaneously scans the frequency spectrumof the operating band.

In FIG. 1A, the device 101 includes an antenna 102 to which a primaryreceiver 108 is connected via a receiving path (line 112). The primaryreceiver 108 is connected to (and may be controlled by) a primaryprocessor 106 or controller. In some variations the receiver is part ofa transceiver. In some variations (not shown) a separate transmitter maybe connected to the processor 106 and/or the antenna 102. This ‘primary’pathway may operate to wirelessly communicate with one or more otherdevices and typically transmits and receives radio-frequency informationusing one or more channels that are part of an operating frequency band.In this example, a secondary receiver 120 is connected in parallel withthe primary receiver 108 to the same antenna 102 which is also connectedto a secondary processor 122. In some variations a separate antenna maybe used. In FIG. 1A, the secondary receiver 124 is configured as aspectrum analyzer 120, and the secondary processor 122 is configured asa spectrum processor 122. The spectrum processor can control thespectrum analyzer 120 and process spectrum information about thefrequency band (or specific, predetermined sub-portions of the frequencyband). In particular, the spectrum analyzers (e.g., the spectrumprocessor portion of the spectrum analyzer may store (e.g., in a memory130), analyze, encode, and/or transmit the spectrum information.

For example, a spectrum processor may cause the secondary receiver toscan through the operating band (frequency band) collecting frequencyspectrum information, including process frequency. In FIG. 1A thespectrum information (encoded or otherwise) may e

In use, there are many functions that may be performed by apparatusesincluding a primary receiver and a secondary receiver adapted to analyzethe local frequency spectrum of the apparatus. In some examples, such anapparatus may be used for simultaneously communicating wirelessly (e.g.,via the primary receiver, a primary transmitter and/or a primarytransceiver) and monitoring the local frequency spectrum over theoperating band. The frequency information may be collected, analyzed,stored and/or transmitted. Spectrum information (data) from the spectrumanalyzer may be processed by filtering or the like. A spectrum analyzermy process signals continuously, e.g., without consideration of protocolpreambles or data coding as would be used in the primary receiver. Thuspacket detection is not required. Frequency domain information maydescribe power versus frequency for the real and imaginary component.

Spectrum information may be encoded with additional information such oneor more of: temporal information (date/time the frequency informationwas collected), location/position information (e.g., GPS informationlocating the device geographically), orientation information (e.g.,direction orientation), device-identifying information (uniqueidentifiers for a particular device, information about the make/model ofthe device, lot number, etc.), or the like.

Any of the frequency information (including encoded information) may bestored and/or transmitted. For example, in FIG. 1A, the spectrumanalyzer is shown connected to the antenna so that it can betransmitted.

FIG. 1B is another example of a device including a spectrum analyzer 120connected in parallel to a primary receiver 108. In this example, theprimary receiver is also connected to a processor 106 along with aprimary transmitter. A second antenna 104 is used to transmit, while areceiving antenna 102 is used for receiving wireless radio-frequencyinformation. In FIG. 1B, the same device may be transmitting andreceiving simultaneously, and at the same time monitoring (using thespectrum analyzer 120) the frequency spectrum of the operating band.

In both FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the spectrum analyzers may wirelesslytransmit spectrum information (encoded or not). The spectrum informationmay be transmitted by primary transmitter and/or directly by the antenna(e.g., in FIG. 1B, the transmission antenna), as indicated by the dashedlines in FIG. 1B.

As mentioned above, described herein are radio devices that include atleast two sets of radio receivers, where the first (primary) one of thereceivers may be configured to act as a wireless radio for receivingdata and the second receiver may be adapted to do persistent spectrumanalysis of the band that the first receiver is operating in. In somevariations, the device may modify the first receiver based oninformation from spectrum analysis. In some variations, the device doesnot modify the first receiver based on information from the spectrumanalysis. The device may be adapted to transmit information about thelocal radio frequency (RF) environment from the spectrum analyzer andreport this information to an aggregator (e.g., a remoteprocessor/server) that can combine this information with other frequencyspectrum information from other locations (or overlapping locations).This collected information may be used to optimize the network frequencychannel planning, for example.

Thus, described herein are apparatuses and methods that use a secondaryreceiver set, which may be independent of the first receiver set and maybe connected to the same receiving antenna or may have a separateantenna, and is configured as a spectrum analyzer. In the example, shownin FIG. 1 , a radio device that is configured as an 802.11 deviceoperating in the 5 GHz band and includes pair of receivers 111, 113. Oneof the receivers is adapted as a spectrum analysis receiver that iscontinuously sweeping the full 5 GHz band. In FIG. 1 , both receiversare connected to the same front-end, including an antenna adapted toreceive in the 5 GHz band 103 and pre-filtering, such as a low-noiseamplifier 105. The first receiver 111 is a high-selectivity receiver(HSR) for processing data within the 5 GHz band. In parallel with thehigh-selectivity receiver 111, a second receiver 113 operates as aspectrum analyzer to monitor the 5 GHz band used by the first receiver111. A wireless chipset 109 and processor 107 may be used by either orboth receivers. For example, an 802.11(n) 5 GHz radio may be used as aspectrum analyzer along with another (data) receiver (primary receiver111) as part of an 802.6Ac radio. The 802.11(n) receiver may performpersistent spectrum analysis in the background as the other receiverreceives data.

The spectrum information may be used to modify or adjust the operationof a network that includes one or more of the devices described above.In particular, similar devices may all report back to a processor(aggregator) that can monitor the overall RF environment status of anetwork or of multiple networks. This information may be used, forexample, to optimize network, by optimizing frequency channel planningor other means, or for optimizing the positioning or operation ofindividual devices within the network.

As mentioned above, the spectrum information received by the apparatusesdescribed herein may be collected by one or more aggregators. Forexample, a wireless network may be configured so that at least some ofthe wireless radios in the system gather and transmit spectruminformation. This spectrum information preferably includes bothfrequency information as well as geographic and temporal information.This information may be collected or aggregated, for example, by aremote processor (e.g., a remote server) which may include a spectrumanalysis engine that is configured to aggregate the information. Forexample, the remote processor may generate a geo-spectrum database(GSDB) that includes the aggregated information.

Thus, contemplated herein are networks in which multiple wireless radiosin the network monitor (e.g., continuously) all or a portion of one ormore operating bands in parallel with (‘normal’) operation as a wirelessRF radio receiving and transmitting wireless information in a portion ofthe operating band (e.g., the channel). A networked system that monitorsthe RF spectrum at various remote locations using wireless RF devicesmay be adapted for monitoring, without disrupting the network operation.For example, a network may include endpoint wireless receivers (e.g.,customer provided/purchased equipment or CPEs) and/or wireless accesspoints (Aps) that each monitor the band using a secondary receiver thatis configured to operate in parallel with a primary wireless radioreceiver, and monitory the frequency spectrum of the communication bandwithout interfering with the operation of the primaryreceiver/transceiver and/or transmitter for the device. Thus, thefrequency information collected by the network may be network-wide andnot just limited to spectrum information at the base-station.

This information may be used to create a geospatial spectral usagedatabase that includes historic frequency information, per time-span andper geographic location. This information may generally be monitoringand/or used remotely (e.g., on the cloud). Information such as spectrumusage information may be collected, stored and analyzed, and thisinformation may have a relatively fine granularity (e.g., kHz), and mayinclude, for example, frequency, power, duty-cycle, etc. as well asGPS-location and antenna information (e.g., directionality, gain, etc.)about the receiver. The angle where the antenna is pointing may also bestored in the database and/or can be determined by using informationabout the GPS-Location and antenna information (such as directionality,gain, etc.) of peer devices.

An analysis of this geospatial spectral usage database may be performedfor a variety of uses, and the analysis may be made from historical dataor in real-time. For example, this enriched spectrum information (e.g.,enriched with geographic/directional and temporal information) may beused to deterring a best frequency of operation for a specific networkfor communication between an AP and one or more CPEs (e.g., AP to CPEand CPE to AP directions). This determination may be time-based, basedon the per-day/time spectrum usage information discovered. For example,a network (individual components of the network) may be configured todynamically change frequency at specific times based on thisinformation. Thus, if an analysis of this data shows that a particularregion of the network experiences more crowding of a frequency spectrumat a particular time of day, then the network may regulate operation ofthese regions to alleviate/avoid problems. In another example, a systemmay dynamically change frequency upon detecting interference/blockingsignal, as illustrated below. This may be done based on an analysis of alarger database, or based only on locally collected frequency spectruminformation.

In another example, the network and/or devices (APs and/or CPEs) mayswitch to more robust coding schemes that combat that specificinterference as evaluated by the engine. Additionally or alternatively,the network and/or devices may change sub-carrier symbol mapping, etc.,based on an analysis of the spectrum.

During installation of a wireless radio device that operates within theoperational band covered by the database (e.g., the GSDB), thisinformation may be used to more effectively work with the various nodesof the network, including for alignment, and/or for use with analignment tool. A spectrum analysis engine could use the GSDB torecommend ways to set-up a network so that it will run most effectively,including alignment.

Although many of the device variations described herein including tworeceivers acting in parallel, the database of enriched frequencyinformation may be constructed using devices that do not include aseparate primary and secondary receiver. For example, a device (e.g., APor station) may have a single receiver that operates as both the primaryreceiver for transmission of wireless data and for monitoring thefrequency spectrum. For example, a single receiver may switch betweenmodes (e.g., monitoring frequency spectrum and receiving wireless data).Such an embodiment may be used in particular when switching betweenmodes could be performed relatively quickly (e.g., faster than 5 ms).Similarly, a network may include one or more nodes that only includefrequency spectrum monitoring devices (receivers). In some variationsthe devices may include a virtual wireless radio, which may have both afilter (for receiving wireless data at frequencies within the band) andspectrum analyzer (for monitoring frequency spectrum information of theentire operational band.

Point-to-Point Alignment

Also described herein are point-to-point alignment systems. Any of thesesystems may be used as part of the wireless radio systems describedherein. Point-to-point alignment methods and apparatuses (devices andsystems) may generally include ways to optimization communicationbetween a first wireless radio (e.g., an AP) and a second wireless radio(e.g., a station).

The methods, devices and systems for point-to-point alignment mayinclude the use of an alignment tool which may a hand-held tool, or itmay be integrated into a wireless antenna device, or it may be remotelylocated (e.g., on a remote server) and accessed by a local device (e.g.,including by the wireless antenna). In some variations thepoint-to-point alignment tool is an application (which may include oneor more of software, hardware or firmware) that runs on a handheldcomputer such as a smartphone or other mobile computing device. Themethods and apparatuses described herein may be local to the antennabeing aligned, or they may include the use of remotely locatedcomponents, including a remote processor (e.g., server) that performs atleast some of the steps described herein, including determining thedirection between the two antennas being aligned.

The point-to-point alignment tools and methods described herein may beused with any of the methods and apparatuses described herein, includingthe dual-receiver apparatuses and the geospectrum databases (GSDB)described above, and may incorporate use of the enriched frequencyspectrum information. For example, the point-to-point alignment methodsand apparatuses may adjust the alignment based on optimizing informationcalculated from the GSDB (e.g., by a spectrum analysis engine); in somevariations antenna alignment, or point-to-point alignment may includeadjusting or modifying the operational parameters of one or bothantennas, such as the transmission/reception channel(s), the modulationtype and/or scheduling, etc.

In general, the point-to-point alignment apparatuses and methodsdescribed herein may be used in a cloud environment (e.g., as part of aremote and/or distributed server), both using info from the cloud tofacilitate alignment and synchronization between antennae, and infeeding information to cloud receive feedback regarding a “slave”antenna and/or the local environment.

The methods and apparatuses for point-to-point operation describedherein typically include methods and devices for point-to-pointalignment of wireless radio devices using an alignment tool having acompass. The compass may be read by the alignment tool, and may be partof or locally positioned relative to the device being installed (e.g.,aligned). The device being installed is typically positioned remotelyrelative to the other wireless radio device with which it is beingaligned. As used herein “local” refers to the immediate vicinity of thearticle being references; for example, the compass may be local relativeto the antenna being aligned and may be located on (or as part of) theantenna or as part of a tool (e.g., alignment tool) that can bepositioned near (within a few feet, within 10 feet, within 20 feet,within 100 feet, etc.) the antenna. In some variations the alignmenttool is local to the antenna when it is within a few feet of the antennaor a stand/holder for the antenna (e.g., tower), including when it is onor immediately adjacent to the antenna). The term “remote” or “remotely”may refer to an article that is located some distance (e.g., more than afew feet, more than a few hundred feet, more than a few miles, etc.)from the referenced article. For example, the antenna to which the localantenna is being aligned with may be more than a few feet (more than 20feet, more than 100 feet, more than 500 feet, more than a mile, etc.)from the other antenna.

In general, a method for point-to-point alignment of a wireless radiodevice using an alignment tool may include determining a location of thefirst wireless radio device that is remotely located relative to thealignment tool, determining the location of the second wireless radiodevice that is local to the alignment tool, using the compass of thealignment tool and the locations of the first and second wireless radiodevices to determine a direction to point the second wireless radiodevice; and displaying, with the alignment tool, an indicator of thedirection.

In general, the locations of the two antennas may be determined fromglobal positioning satellite (GPS) information. GPS information mayprovide position information, and allows for GPS Clock Synchronization.The GPS information may be provided by the antenna(s), which may includeGPS positioning capability, including hardware and/or software fordetermining GPS positions. The position information may therefore beread from the antennas themselves, and/or from a remote server(s) thathas received this information. In some variation the position of thelocal antenna is determined by GPS from a separate handheld device, suchas the alignment tool or a smartphone configured as an alignment tool,where the alignment tool is positioned next to or near the antenna andthe position of the antenna is inferred from proximity to the position(GPS position) of the alignment tool.

In general the compass provides directional information. The directionalinformation may be provided relative to magnetic north, for example. Thecompass may be part of the antenna and/or the alignment tool or both. Ingeneral, the compass is electronically readable, so that direction canbe sensed by the alignment tool. In addition to the compass, thealignment tool may have access to one or more of a gyroscope,accelerometer and/or orientation sensor, which may provide orientationinformation for fine tuning X-axis and Y-axis of the antenna, asdescribed in greater detail below. The alignment tool may include all orsome of these precision alignment components, which can be built intothe antenna (as part of a dedicated alignment tool), or a separatedetachable/reusable tool, such as a box can be provided duringinstallation. As mentioned above, the alignment tool may be downloadableapplication (‘app’) for configuring and controlling a mobiletelecommunications device such as a smartphone; the device (e.g.,smartphone) may include an on-bard compass and/or gyroscope,accelerometer, orientation sensor or the like.

In variations including fine tuning sensors (e.g., gyroscope,accelerometer and/or orientation sensor), the tool may be connected orconnectable to the antenna, antenna mount or antenna holder.

The alignment methods and tools described herein are an improvement overcurrently available methods and systems for point-to-point aligning ofantennas. For example, without an alignment tool, an antenna orientationand position is typically manually and iteratively adjusted byattempting to first make a link, then manually aligning the link toimprove signal strength by comparing received transmission strengthsbetween the two antennas, which may be time consuming and difficult,particularly for antennas separated by any significant distance.Although an antenna mount may be configured for fine tuning the X-axis(as well as the Y-axis) to help installers better align and performpoint to point (PTP) antennae deployment, this doesn't solve the problemof having to go through an iterative process to align PTP links, butinstead may only provide limited help in dealing with alignmentchallenges. Installers may spend several hours just to align a link andnot be certain whether it is optimized or not.

The systems, devices and methods (including in particular the alignmenttools and methods of using them) described herein may allow an installerto establish the link and adjust the alignment in seconds (withconfidence alignment is optimized), in contrast to the much longeralignment process currently required. This functionality/feature can beincluded in the hardware, software and/or firmware of the antenna, or beincluded in a cloud-based device management program.

In one variation, precision dedicated hardware with GPS, compass, and/orone or more orientation sensor(s) may be used as an alignment tool toassist with alignment. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates one variation ofan alignment tool. In this example, the alignment tool is configured asa small device (e.g., “box”) that can sit on or connect to any antenna(e.g., a dish antenna). The antenna or mount may include mountingbracket for the device. In this example, the device includes a GPSinput, which receives GPS information on the position of the antennaand/or the tool, including height, longitude and latitude. The tool alsoincludes an input for compass information, including direction (e.g.,0.0 to 359.9 degrees, etc.). Finally, and optionally, the tool may alsoinclude an input for one or more accelerometers, including tri-axialaccelerometers, including x-axis rotation, y-axis rotation, and z-axisrotation. In addition, the tool may include an input for position (e.g.,GPS position) of the remote antenna that the local antenna is attemptingto link (point-to-point) with, as well as (in some variations) anindicator of the direction that the remote antenna is pointing. In somevariations, as described below, the tool may also include an indicatorof the link quality (e.g., power).

At a minimum, the tool may include an input for GPS position of thelocal antenna, the remote antenna and the local compass heading. Fromthis information, (e.g., for both sides of a link), the tool may be ableto tell each side of the link how to be adjusted to optimize theconnection. Alternatively, if the directional (compass) informationand/or rotational information (e.g., accelerometer information) isavailable for only one antenna of the paired antennas, as well as thedistance information, the alignment of the local antenna may becompleted with little if any iterative aiming processes and doubt as tothe quality of the alignment. In some variations the alignment tool mayinclude near-field communication (e.g., Bluetooth) or be connected viaIR or hardwired (USB etc.) to another device and/or to a remote device(e.g., a remote server, the cloud, etc.) and may connect acontrol/device management program.

Any of the alignment tools described herein may communicate with orinclude a display, and may also be capable to wirelessly connect to acorresponding tool on or attached to the other antenna, or may directlytalk with the antenna itself to determine its location or otherparameters (e.g., GSP data). In one variation, the tool of one antennatalks directly to a tool on the other antenna. In another variation, thetool is part of or otherwise communicated with the installer's cellphone to connect to the network, and may use the phone to connectthrough the network with the other antenna/tool. In another example,both tools and/or antenna connect to a network and talk to a centraladministrator located on the remote server (e.g., cloud), and theinformation can then displayed be in the app on the installer's cellphone. See, e.g., FIGS. 7A and 7B, described in greater detail below.

For example, the features/capability of the tool may be implemented bysoftware in a smartphone. Optionally, an adapter or other connector maybe used to fix the smartphone to the antenna to lock the relativeposition of the smartphone to the antenna structure.

In general, the tool may be used to instruct or guide a user (e.g., aninstaller) in adjusting the position/orientation of an antenna whenaligning it with another antenna in a point-to-point transmission. Thus,the tool may provide visual and/or audible instructions or guidance toan installer to help initially (rough) align the local antenna and thenoptimize (fine positioning) the local antenna. In some variations theantenna may include one or more motors that may be controlled at leastin part by the tool to automatically adjust/optimize the position of thelocal antenna. For example, an antenna may have a motor built into theframe and/or mount to adjust the antenna position. In one variation,only one motor is included, to adjust the Y-axis. In another variation,one motor is implemented to adjust the Y-axis, and one motor isimplemented to adjust the X-axis. In, yet another variation, threemotors are implemented to adjust the X, Y and Z axis. Auto-adjustmentthrough real-time feedback may be used for initial set-up. After thedevice is aligned, the antenna is locked into position. In anothervariation, the antenna may continue to correct its alignment when thesystem detects miss-alignment.

An example of alignment generic alignment is shown in FIG. 3 . In thisexample, two antennas are being aligned for point-to-point transmissionand the signal strength is optimized between the two devices. The firstantenna (e.g., local device) on the left may be an AP or CPE (station),while the second antenna (e.g., remote device) on the right may be a CPEor AP.

FIGS. 5-6B illustrate one variation of an alignment too configured as amobile wireless alignment tool. One challenge with installing outdoorwireless equipment at long ranges is the equipment is usually verydirective (focused) and must be precisely aligned so the radios on bothends of the link are aimed directly at each other. As mentioned above,the systems and devices described herein are not limited to outdoordevices.

Typically, the better the quality of alignment, the higher the signallevels of the wireless link are. Thus, when installing the wirelessdevices/antennas, the installer may align the devices on each side sothe link has the highest signal level possible. An alignment toolconfigured as executable instructions (code) stored in a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium that controls a processor may beimplemented as an application (e.g., downloadable software) that can beoperated a smart phone may be particularly useful for this purpose. Forexample, a mobile alignment tool may be configured as executableinstructions that run on a smartphone. The smartphone may include one ormore sensors that provide directional information and may be operated asa compass. The sensor(s) providing directional information may bereferred to as a compass. Any of the mobile devices (includingsmartphone variations) described herein may include a built-in compassfor automatic bearing calculation.

In general, point-to-point alignment may be performed in steps using thealignment tool. For example, a first step for aligning a wirelessdevice/antenna may include calculating the direction the device(wireless device) must be pointed for alignment. In general, thiscalculation may be performed by the device, with the user providingsufficient input to determine the locations of the local and remotedevices. For example, a user may input the location of the remotedevice, or a reference that indicates where this location informationmay be found. The location of the local device, or a reference to wherethe location may be found, may also be input by a user, or the locationof the local device may be deduced from the location of the alignmenttool, which may be automatically determined based on, for example, a GPSsignal to/from the tool.

The initial alignment of the two (remote and local) devices may bereferred to as rough alignment. If a device is connecting to a devicemany miles away, it may be difficult to establish an initial (rough)connection between the two devices. An installer may manually use theGPS coordinates of the remote device, the GPS coordinates of localdevice, manually calculate bearings between the coordinates, and use acompass on site to establish a general direction to aim the device. Thealignment tools described herein may simplify this and provide moreaccurate and faster alignment by providing an easy to understanddirectional indicator (e.g., arrow, pointer, etc.) without requiringthat the user do any calculations.

In some variations the alignment tool may already have the GPScoordinates of the remote radio device that is being connected with thelocal device. The tool may automatically retrieve or have a list (e.g.,look-up table) of the GPS coordinates of the remote device. The GPScoordinates of the local device may be retrieved directly from a GPSchip on mobile device (unless already stored) or from the local device.Based on the local and remote GPS coordinates, and using a built-incompass (or sensor(s) configured as a compass), the alignment tool candetermine which direction the local device should be pointed to alignwith the remote device.

For example, in a mobile application downloaded onto a handheld device(e.g., smartphone), the handheld device may be configured by theapplication to automatically show an arrow pointing to the direction inwhich the local device should be oriented.

FIG. 4 illustrates one variation of a handheld device configured todisplay an arrow indicating the direction for rough alignment of a localwireless radio device when aligning with a remote device.

Once the device has been roughly aligned, which may be confirmed by thealignment tool, the alignment tool may also be used to guide finetuning/optimization of the alignment. Fine tuning of the direction ofthe device/antenna to ensure the most accurate alignment may beperformed to provide the highest quality signal/link possible. In somevariations the alignment tool may be connected to the local devicephysically, and a signal value read from the device to indicate signalstrength between the two devices. As mentioned above, the connection tothe local device may be a direct physical connection (e.g., cable, wire,etc.) a wireless connection (Bluetooth, IR, etc. that may be madebetween the tool and one of the devices being aligned) or a connectionthrough a network (e.g., a wireless network, including one of thedevices being aligned). For example, following the rough alignmentdescribed above, the local wireless radio device may already beconnected to the remote device and thus the network (including thecloud). If the tool is configured as a mobile app, for example, aninstaller can retrieve signal level updates from a remote server (e.g.,cloud) in very quick increments, without needing to connect directly tothe device.

Typically when designing a new link, or before installing/aligning a newradio/antenna, an installer may collect the RF properties of thedevices/antennas on both sides of the link, collect device GPScoordinates or distance, and run calculations to determine how well thelink will perform and what signal level to expect. Any of the alignmenttools described herein may perform these functions. In addition, thealignment tools and methods described herein may also use thegeo-spectrum database information (e.g., the enriched frequency spectrumdata) to determine how well this link will perform and to optimize theconnection or suggest position and/or alignment information.

For example, a mobile handheld alignment tool may have the GPScoordinates of the remote device to be connected to. The mobile too(application) may also determine the GPS coordinates of the localdevice. Based on the two GPS coordinates, and the RF properties (e.g.,frequency, transmit power, antenna gain) of the new local device, thetool may determine what an optimal (e.g., “ideal”) signal level shouldbe at this distance. For example, the tool may use a Free Space Losscalculation to determine an ideal signal level between the remote andlocal devices based on the distance and the known (e.g., provided by thesoftware or a remote server based on, for example, the make/model of thedevices) properties of the remote and local devices.

The alignment tool may use this target (or ideal) signal level as aguideline for the installer to use when aligning. For example, the toolmay display this target signal level (e.g., on the screen of the devicein the mobile application), and provide it as a guideline for how wellthe device is aligned. If actual signal is close to or equal the targetsignal, the device alignment may be complete. For example, FIGS. 5A and5B illustrate variations of displays that may be used for fineadjustment/aligning of the local device. In FIG. 5A, the alignment toolis displaying (e.g., on a hand-held device such as a smartphone) theactual signal level (in dBm), and may include both the horizontal andvertical signal levels, as well as the target (“ideal”) signal level. Asthe local device is adjusted (e.g., by adjusting the angle, tilt, etc.)the tool may update the display, as shown in FIG. 5B, and may provide acolor indicator (e.g., green, etc.) that the alignment is “good” orclose to optimal (e.g., when the signal strength is within 10%, 5%, 3%,etc. of the ideal signal strength). The display may also show agraphical indicator of the signal strength (e.g., bars, etc.).

FIGS. 6A-6F illustrate one method for point-to-point alignment asdescribed above. Any of these steps may be omitted or repeated, andalternative and additional steps (not shown) may also be included. Forexample, in FIG. 6A, the alignment tool may be initialized. For example,the alignment tool may be accessed from a menu of applications (e.g., ona mobile device, computer, etc.) near the antenna to be aligned. In FIG.6A, a graphic illustrating the alignment tool has been accessed isdisplayed on the screen of a handheld device (e.g., smartphone). Theidentity of the local (“first deice”) being aligned is then entered bythe user. In some variations this step may be automated or simplified.For example, the tool may automatically detect and/or connect the localdevice. In some variations the alignment tool may be a dedicatedalignment tool that is part of the local device and may already havethis information, thus this step may be skipped. In some variations thealignment tool may ask for confirmation that the entered orautomatically detected device is correct.

In FIG. 6B, the alignment tool provides a menu/list of devices (APdevices and/or CPE devices) that are nearby and asks the user to confirmwhich devices is the local device to be aligned.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the user may enter the remote device to be alignedwith the local device. As mentioned, the alignment tool may also includea list of predetermined (e.g., automatically detected) remote (thoughgeographically nearby) devices from which a user may select. In FIG. 6C,a menu of such remote devices is provided. Based on the devicesselected, in FIGS. 6A-6F, the alignment tool may automatically determinethe properties of the local and remote devices, including the locations(GPS locations) of these devices. Alternatively, any of these properties(location, operational characteristics, etc.) may be manually entered orverified using the tool. Once the first (e.g., local) and second (e.g.,remote) wireless radio devices have been selected, the tool maydetermine a directional link between the two, as shown schematically inFIG. 6D. The calculation may use the locations (e.g., GPS locations) ofthe local and remote devices, as well as any additional information(e.g., from the frequency spectrum information/database) and may use thecompass accessed by the alignment tool to calculate a directionalindicator (e.g., arrow).

As already shown in FIG. 4 , the alignment tool may then provide ageneral/rough alignment indicator (e.g., arrow) on the screen to guidethe initial alignment of the two devices. In FIG. 6E (and FIG. 4 ) thearrow indicates the direction to point the local device for generalalignment with the remote device. This initial alignment may besufficient to allow fine tuning of the alignment. The directionalindicator may be continuously updated (e.g., keeping the arrow orientedtowards the remote device, relative to the local device).

FIG. 6F illustrates one variation of using an alignment tool for finetuning of the alignment. As shown in FIG. 6F (and described above inFIGS. 5A-5B), the tool may cause a display of the actual current signallevel between the local and remote devices. In FIG. 6F the displayincludes a bar showing relative strength of the signal level as well asan icon. A more detailed display, such as that shown in FIGS. 5A-5B mayalso/alternatively be used. The installer may then optimize the signalstrength using the displayed signal strength as a guide. For example,the installer manually (or automatically) adjusts one or more ofX-rotation, Y-rotation, Z-rotation, etc.

As mentioned above, FIG. 7A illustrates alignment of a pair ofpoint-to-point devices (e.g., antennas) using an alignment tool asdescribed. For example, in FIG. 7A, a local radio device/antenna 1809 isshown positioned on a tower/pole or the like, and is intended to bealigned with a remote device (e.g., radio/antenna) 1811, also shownmounted. In this example, the alignment tool 1807, which may be a devicehaving a hand-held processor (such as a smartphone having a set ofinstructions for controlling the device to operate as an alignment tool)is located locally (e.g., within 10 feet) of the local device to bealigned 1809. The alignment tool includes a screen/display and alsoincludes a compass input/function. In operation, the alignment toolreceives information allowing it to determine the geographic location ofthe local 1809 and remote 1811 devices. For example, the alignment toolmay receive the actual GPS locations of the remote 1811 device andeither the GPS location of the local 1809 device or its own GPSlocation.

In some variations the alignment tool communicates directly 1819 withthe local device 1809, for example via wired connection or wirelessconnection (e.g., Bluetooth). The device may then receive informationdirectly from the local device about the GPS location and/or the signalquality of any link between the remote device 1811 and the local device1809. The local device may communicate directly with the remote device(e.g., through a robust link) and/or may communicate with a remoteserver 1817 (e.g., via an Ethernet connection 1825 and/or communicationthrough the remote device 1811). Alternatively, the alignment tool maycommunicate directly with a remote server 1817 (via an internetconnection) to receive information about either or both the local 1809and remote 1844 devices being aligned. In some variations the remotedevice 1811 communicates directly with the alignment tool (not shown),e.g., via wireless signal.

In FIG. 7A, the local 1809 and remote 1811 devices can initially beroughly aligned 1813 using the alignment tool, which accesses thecompass to show which direction (e.g., azimuthal direction) to point thelocal device. The alignment tool may also receive information about thesignal strength (e.g., signal strength received by the local deviceand/or received by the remote device), which may be used to furtheralign the device, as discussed above in FIGS. 6A-6F.

Another alternative is shown in FIG. 7B, in which the alignment tool1837 is coupled with or integrated into the local device 1809, asdescribed in greater detail below. In some variations a separatealignment tool 1805 may also be associated with the remote device 1811.In FIG. 7B, the alignment tool may communicate directly with the localdevice 1809 (e.g., direct wired, e.g. USB, connection or by wirelessconnection) and/or may communicate through a remote server (e.g., cloud1817). Similarly, the alignment tool may communicate 1831 with theremote device 1811 either directly (via a wireless connection) orthrough a remote server (e.g., cloud 1817). As before the tool mayprovide alignment information, including the geographic indicator (whichdirectly to grossly aim the local device to align with the remotedevice), and may also provide additional information on finely aligningthe two devices, e.g., by showing a dynamic display of the signalintensity between the two devices and in some variations a target signalintensity (which may be normalized to an “alignment” metric showingpercent aligned, or relative alignment, etc.). This display is dynamicbecause it may quickly update the alignment as either the local orremote devices are moved. In some variations additional alignmentinformation may be provided by the remote processor (e.g., cloud-basedprocessor) to guide alignment. For example, the remote processor maycalculate the target signal strength and determine actual signalstrengths and/or suggest way to improve alignment.

Other alignment tools may be used separately or in addition to thosedescribed above. For example, an optical alignment tool may be includedin addition or alternatively to the geographic alignment tool. In somevariations the alignment tool includes a laser (e.g., laser sight) thatoperates between the local and remote devices being aligned. Forexample, FIG. 8 illustrates a local device 1903 that can be aligned witha remote device 1911 using, at least in part, a laser (optical) signalfrom the remote to the local (or the local to the remote, as shown inFIG. 8 ). In this example, the local device 1903 includes an alignmenttool 1917 having a laser that can be directed by the local user toward aremote device 1911. The beam of the laser 1907 may be directed to asensor 1913 on the remote device 1911. Further alignment accuracy may beachieved by including as part of the sensor a depth (e.g., an opening,hole, channel, etc.) with a sensor or sensors along the depth, includingnear or at the bottom; the deeper the beam can penetrate, the moreaccurate the visual alignment is likely to be. Additional sensors may beplaced on the outside of the opening. Although optical sensing is notcompletely analogous to electromagnetic sensing, and may have a limitedrange, it may provide at least initial (rough) alignment. Any of thealignment tools described herein may include a laser/optical alignmentcomponent. Further, a laser alignment tool, which uses both a remote (orlocal) laser and a local (or remote) target, may be adapted tocommunicate with any of the alignment tools described herein.

As mentioned above, any of the alignment tools described herein mayengage with an antenna in a fixed orientation, so that the alignmenttool is held in a fixed orientation relative to the dish of the antenna.This may be achieved by include a mount on either or both of thealignment tool and the antenna so that the alignment tool can fixedlyengage with the dish/reflector of the antenna. For example, thealignment tool and/or the antenna may include a mount having a track,guide, rail, snap, or other attachment that holds the alignment tool ina fixed position relative to the antenna during the alignment procedure.

For example, FIG. 9 illustrates one variation of an alignment tool 905that is configured to fixedly engage with an antenna 900 so that thealignment tool is held to the antenna and moves with the antenna (e.g.,while aligning the antenna). In this example, the alignment toolincludes a rim, ridge, edge, pin, or the like that engages with a matingsurface, track, guide, channel, etc., 909 in a pocket, holding region,mount, etc. of the antenna 900. For example, a mount 911 may include arecessed region in the housing of the antenna into which the alignmenttool (or a smartphone controlled by alignment tool logic) may fit and besecurely held. Any appropriate mount may be used. In some variations,the mount may be a screw, fastener, bolt, snap, etc. that secures thealignment tool in a fixed orientation relative to the antenna. Theantenna may have a receiving component (hole, channel, opening, etc.)for receiving the mount of the alignment tool, or it may not. Forexample, in some variations the alignment tool may fasten to any portionof the antenna, e.g., may include a clamp, or any other fastener thatallows it to mount to an edge or surface of an antenna.

Terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.For example, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orgroups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may beabbreviated as “/”.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”,“upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in thefigures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements orfeatures. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both anorientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms“upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and the like are usedherein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicatedotherwise.

Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describevarious features/elements, these features/elements should not be limitedby these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms maybe used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element.Thus, a first feature/element discussed below could be termed a secondfeature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed belowcould be termed a first feature/element without departing from theteachings of the present invention. As already discussed above, in anyof these variations the alignment tool(s) may be permanently (ratherthan removably as just described) integrated into the antenna.

As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in theexamples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may beread as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if theterm does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately”may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate thatthe value and/or position described is within a reasonable expectedrange of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may havea value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−1%of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (orrange of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10%of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical rangerecited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein.Per M.P.E.P. § 2173.05(b), one of ordinary skill in the art would knowwhat is meant by “substantially equal”. For example, the phrase“substantially equal” or “substantially the same” in a statement such as“a fourth RF signal having substantially the same carrier frequency as afirst RF signal” may mean a radio receiver that receives either RFsignal may operate in an equivalent manner.

Although various illustrative embodiments are described above, any of anumber of changes may be made to various embodiments without departingfrom the scope of the invention as described by the claims. For example,the order in which various described method steps are performed mayoften be changed in alternative embodiments, and in other alternativeembodiments one or more method steps may be skipped altogether. Optionalfeatures of various device and system embodiments may be included insome embodiments and not in others. Therefore, the foregoing descriptionis provided primarily for exemplary purposes and should not beinterpreted to limit the scope of the invention as it is set forth inthe claims.

The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way ofillustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which thesubject matter may be practiced. As mentioned, other embodiments may beutilized and derived there from, such that structural and logicalsubstitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scopeof this disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter maybe referred to herein individually or collectively by the term“invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarilylimit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventiveconcept, if more than one is, in fact, disclosed. Thus, althoughspecific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

What is claimed is:
 1. An alignment tool comprising: a processorconfigured to: calculate an optimal signal strength between a firstwireless device and a second wireless device; measure a signal strengthbetween the first wireless devices and the second wireless device;determine an alignment quality based on a comparison of the optimalsignal strength and the measured signal strength; and a displayconfigured to visually provide alignment guidance that includes adirectional alignment indicator continuously oriented toward the secondwireless device relative to the first wireless device and is based onthe alignment quality.
 2. The alignment tool of claim 1, wherein thealignment guidance comprises a color indicator of the alignment quality.3. The alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the alignment guidance isperformed by a mobile device.
 4. The alignment tool of claim 1, whereinthe alignment guidance is performed by a module of one of the firstwireless device or the second wireless device.
 5. The alignment tool ofclaim 1, wherein the optimal signal strength is calculated based on apredetermined location of each of the first and second wireless devices.6. The alignment tool of claim 5, wherein the predetermined location ofthe first wireless device and the second wireless device is determinedby a Global Positioning System signal received by each of the respectivewireless devices.
 7. The alignment tool of claim 1, wherein thealignment guidance comprises an alignment indicator based at least inpart on compass data from a compass included within the alignment tool.8. The alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the alignment guidancecomprises an alignment indicator based at least in part on a tiltbetween the first wireless device and the second wireless device.
 9. Thealignment tool of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configuredto receive location information of a remote wireless radio device. 10.The alignment tool of claim 9, wherein the location information isreceived from a user.
 11. The alignment tool of claim 9, wherein thelocation information is received based on a GPS signal.
 12. Thealignment tool of claim 1, wherein the alignment guidance comprises analignment indicator configured to point the first wireless device towardto the second wireless device.
 13. The alignment tool of claim 1,wherein the alignment guidance comprising a visual indication of adirection.
 14. The alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the processor isfurther configured to dynamically update the alignment guidance basedupon movement of at least one of the first and second wireless devices.15. The alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to communicate directly with either the first or secondwireless device.
 16. An alignment tool to assist in aligning a firstwireless device and a second wireless device, the alignment toolcomprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing aset of instructions capable of being executed by a processor, whereinthe set of instructions, when executed by the processor, causes theprocessor to: calculate an optimal signal strength between a firstwireless device and a second wireless device; measure a signal strengthbetween the first wireless device and the second wireless device;determine an alignment quality based on a comparison of the optimalsignal strength and the measured signal strength; and display, on thealignment tool, an alignment guide based on the alignment quality,wherein the alignment guide includes a directional alignment indicatorcontinuously oriented toward the second wireless device relative to thefirst wireless device.
 17. The alignment tool of claim 16, wherein theprocessor is further configured to dynamically update the alignmentguide based upon movement of at least one of the first and secondwireless devices.